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Posted January 20, 2009

Lori Sammel - Jan. Employee of the Month

Lori Sammel is the January 2009 All Children's Hospital Employee of the Month. Lori works in the NICU as an RN IV and has been with All Children's since 1988. Lori was nominated for Employee of the Month by a colleague who said:

Lori is the regular charge nurse in the NICU, which is a challenging job. She is an exceptional clinical nurse. She is a calm force on even the most hectic days. She will pitch in before you even think about asking her. The physicians and nurse practitioner respect her judgments and skills. Lori participates in unit committees to improve our care and team work. She is an incredible role model to us all. Thank you Lori for your leadership, friendship, and caring attitude towards the babies and your peers.

Lori's Department Director added:

Lori is a ‘super-star' in the NICU and for ACH. She is very diplomatic in her problem-resolution techniques with physicians, staff and families and negotiates her way through difficult situations. Lori is an RN IV who has reached the highest level of clinical expertise in our unit and is utilized in an advisory capacity for ACH regarding neonates, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) and IVs. Lori always puts patient care first. Additionally, she is a charge nurse that ‘walks the talk.' She is always at the bedside assisting staff, never just sitting behind the desk. Lori assumes her role as charge nurse for the NICU taking responsibility for all aspects of care and staff on a daily basis while ensuring the safety of all. Over the past 2 years, Lori has worked diligently above her regularly scheduled shifts to obtain her NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care Assessment Program) Certification and has achieved that successfully. Through this skill, Lori is able to identify the cues and stressors of premature infants so that staff and patients can utilize this information to optimally care for the infant in a safe and secure, developmental environment. Lori is so many things to the NICU and demonstrates the values of ACH with passion and compassion. She is the role model for clinical practice and integrity in the NICU. She is someone that everyone looks up to and respects. As a leader, I count on Lori for her honesty in our discussions about forthcoming change or any situation at hand. Lori is an advocate for the patients first and for the staff as she identifies with others in their struggles and works to resolve issues presented to her through her compassion and respect for others as well as her innovative ideas and solutions.

Lori, thank you for your outstanding Service Excellence, leadership in the NICU and advocacy for our patients, family and staff. Congratulations for being selected the All Children's Hospital Employee of the Month!